The COVID-19 pandemic, without a doubt, is an unforeseen event that affected almost every business sector all over the world. In the Philippines, the government had to take measures similar to what other countries have done—impose a halt among many businesses which led many people to either work from their respective homes, if applicable, or become temporarily unemployed.
According to Philippine Seven Corp., the exclusive local licensor of 7-Eleven convenience store chain, it is also affected by the enhanced community quarantine implemented by the government in mid-March.
However, it tried to continue serving the public by having more than 50 percent of its stores nationwide in operation because it can still sell food and cleaning items which were identified as essentials under guidelines set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Some 7-Eleven stores are allowed to open only at daytime or maintain its usual 24/7 operation depending on the store’s location.
In general, 7-Eleven stores made it a point to take part in the government’s protocol to surpass the pandemic and contribute to the safety of customers while serving their needs. To ensure the safety of customers, 7-Eleven put up signs reminding their customers to wear face masks before entering the store and sanitize their hands, provided with alcohol on the entrance.
7-Eleven stores also ensure that handrails and most frequently touched areas are being sanitized for added safety. Stores are also putting up floor stickers to ensure social distancing between customers.
PSC identified which stores will and shall be opened based on its location and other qualifications it has set. The company also helped its franchisees perform the necessary precautions by supplying the latter with safety-need items and constantly communicating with them and reminding them to follow local government protocols.
PSC took advantage of the government mandated rules on hazard pay and kept its store employees, who are also considered as frontliners by the community, updated with the benefits they can get.
As for its franchisees, some of them took initiatives such as renting places for their staff to stay that are near assigned stores since mass transportation was suspended. Franchisee Richard Murillo saw that many of his staff will have a hard time travelling to work. To solve this, he rented an apartment for his staff which is near the store.
Others gave allowances and relief. This is what Mariano Magbanua Jr., a franchisee of several 7-Eleven stores did. He gave his employees a P500 allowance and those working at stores that had to be closed due to the prevailing community quarantine were transferred to other stores that were allowed to open.
Similarly, franchisee Wenchelle Gamolo in Mindanao wanted her staff to stay employed for the duration of the ECQ. To do this, some of those working at the store that had to be closed under the ECQ were transferred to her store located in Kauswagan Bonbon.
These franchise-initiated activities aim to ease the burden their staff encounter every day during the pandemic.